Container cap



Sept. 5, 1967 c. F. MILLER 3,339,772

CONTAINER CAP Filed Nov. 16, 1964 I I 2 Sheets-Sheet l 55 4 J4 36 y fl/H Z J INVENTOR Sept. 5, 1967 c. R 3,339,772

CONTAINER CAP Filed Nov. 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N "ENTOR.

United States Patent 3,339,772 CONTAINER CAP Christian F. Miller, PalosPark, Ill., assignor to Formold Plastics, Inc., Blue Island, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 411,442 3 Claims.(Cl. 21540) This invention relates to a cap device for a bottle or othercontainer, and more particularly relates to a novel cap structure havingan insert or perforate spout closure designed for initial attachment toa cap member, becoming thereafter an attachment for the bottle.

In the bottling industry as in many fields today, greater stress isbeing placed on achieving economy by reductions in material and materialhandling costs. At the same time, sealing means must be provided withinthe bottle cap so as to seal the liquid and protect against spillage inall stages of the bottle-capping operation, and against spillage andevaporation of the liquid during shipment, storage and home use.

The pouring nozzle insert as herein contemplated, pursuant to customerrequirements and to achieve standardization economies, is suitable foruse with a container cap and container alternately as a shaker nozzle, asqueeze nozzle, or a smooth flow pour nozzle dependent on the fluidscontained.

The bottle cap or closure means as herein provided is a relativelysimple yet aesthetic device, simplicity being required from theviewpoint of inexpensively manufacturing such a device and shipping itto the bottler.

To permit economy of the bottling operation, the device hereof issuitable for shipment in assembled form to the bottler, ready forapplication to the bottles destined to be sealed.

In the capping area of the bottling operation, an increase in the rateof capping of the bottles results in cost savings to the bottle capper.Since it is essential that the bottle be effectively sealed againstleakage during transit, any increase in speed in the capping operationmust be consistent with maintenance of an eifective or near perfectsealing of the bottles against leakage during transit. The device hereofaccomplishes these objectives.

The present invention contemplates a novel pouring nozzle of extremelysimple design with consequent cost savings accruing in its manufacture.The pouring nozzle herein contemplated is preferably formed of moldableplastic or the like. It is formed in such shape that it may bepositioned immediately after the molding or forming operation within acontainer cap of the same or any suitable material. The nozzle ispositioned in the cap in a snug resiliently held manner so as to permitshipment of container caps and nozzles in mounted, fitted togethercondition. The cap and nozzle are firmly held together by means providedintegral with the cap and nozzle, so that the cap and nozzle remaintogether during shipment even under adverse conditions such as roughhandling or overturning of the containers in which the caps and nozzlesare shipped.

On receipt of the assembled caps and nozzles of the present invention bythe bottle capper, no problem is involved in segregating caps andnozzles and fittinga nozzle into a cap since they are already assembledready for the capping operation. Upon attachment to the container, theinsert becomes a part thereof.

Thus, an important object of this invention is to provide a novel nozzleinsert or spout closure of comparative ly simple and economical designsuitable for use in preassembled cap and nozzle insert relationship, thesame basic insert being suitable for use in sealing a container andfunctioning alternately as a shaker nozzle, a squeeze nozzle or a smoothflow nozzle.

3,339,772 Patented Sept. 5, 1967 ice Another object is to make a nozzleinsert of such structure that it may be readily formed of moldableplastic material and which insert is suitable for immediate assembly bythe manufacturer within a container cap.

A further and important object of this invention is to provide novelcontainer cap holding means integral with the insert so as to preventdisassembly of the nozzle insert from the container cap during shipment,the insert thereafter becoming a part of the container.

Another object is to provide a nozzle which is suitable for use in massproduction methods of bottle capping.

A further object is to provide a pouring nozzle insert which is suitablefor quick hand capping operations.

It is another object of the invention to provide nozzle sealing andholding means which will serve to effectively seal the liquids withinthe container from the atmosphere despite repeated removal andreplacement of the com tainer cap.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a novel capsealing device integral with or molded to the cap whereby to effectivelyseal off the container pouring nozzle insert means against thepossibility of spillage and leakage in the event that the container isoverturned while the container cap is relatively loosely securedthereto.

These and other objects of this invention will appear from thedescription, the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference shouldnow be had to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a preferred embodimentof my improved pouring nozzle insert in its relationship to a bottlehaving a threaded neck and a bottle cap threaded to fit the threadedbottle neck;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the nozzle insert and bottle cap of FIG.1 showing their relationship more clearly;

. FIG. 2a is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of the under side ofthe nozzle insert shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view on a smaller scale of my improved nozzleinsert in assembled relationship to a container cap as they would beshipped to a bottler, with details of the insert more distinctly shown;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing my invention in its assembled relationshipto the container cap, taken along the section lines 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows my pouring nozzle insert in its seated relationship to abottle with the cap removed showing 7 the manner in which the insert issecured in the neck of a bottle;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation view of a modification of my inventionshowing a novel provision for a bottle cap suitable for eifectivelysealing liquids within the bottle from evaporation or spillage throughthe nozzle insert of this invention, the cap provision also serving asan integral insert holding means to prevent disassembly of the nozzleinsert from the cap during shipment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the nozzle insert and the novelcontainer cap shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view showing another embodiment of the spoutclosure in assembled relationship to the container cap of FIGS. 6 and 7and more clearly illustrating the manner in which the cap and spoutclosure are held together during shipment;

FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view taken along the lines 9-9 of FIG. 8showing the concentric relationship of the cap to the bottle spoutclosure; and

FIG. 10 shows the novel spout closure, utilized as a shaker nozzle, inassembled relationship to a bottle with the bottle in shakingrelationship to the horizontal showing drops of fluid shaken from thebottle through the insert.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1-5, the improved nozzle insert2 is shown having an inner infundibuliform or inverted funnel shapedportion 4 clearly shown in FIG. 2a and a generally circularcircumferential outer rim element 6. The inner portion of the spoutclosure is seen to have two generally cylindrical hollow coaxialportions 8 and 10 through which the liquids are poured and a conicalcentral portion 12. The uppermost portion 8 is seen to have a relativelysmall inner diameter in comparison to the inner diameter of the lowerportion 10 which is also generally cylindrical but with a diameterseveral times the diameter of the upper portion 8.

The inner edge 11 of the lower cylindrical portion 10 is preferablyrounded for streamline laminar flow of liquids within the bottle whenthe bottle is tipped over for pouring with the fluids flowing around thelower rounded edge 11, thence along the conically shaped central portion12 to the stem-like lips of the nozzle 8.

Integral with the inner funnel shaped portion and connected thereto atthe lower cylindrical portion 10 is a stepped down outer rim element orS-shaped outer surface 19 which is seen to be generally circular incross section and symmetrically concentric with the infundibuliformelement.

The lower surface of the outer rim element is outwardly shapedsuccessively downwardly eoncavely and convexly having a convexly shapedbulbous portion 13. This lower surface 19 is so shaped and proportionedto act in cooperative sealing interfitting relationship with the neck ofa bottle 21 which has a complementary convexly S- shaped bulbous innerlip portion 18 clearly shown in FIG. 5.

The bulbous portion 13 of the outer rim element fits snugly into theneck of the bottle. As the bottle cap is screwed on the bottle, the capurges the convexly rounded portion 13 of the spout closure downwardlyinto the bottle past the obstruction formed by the bulbous bottle lip 18which urges the bulbous portion 13 radially inwardly; and the conicalshaped portion 12 of the closure flexes upwardly, as shown in dottedlines in FIG. 1 to permit such radially inward movement of the bulbousportion.

When the bulbous portion 13 has passed downwardly of the bottle lip 18into the bottle, the conical portion 12 has sufiicient flexure to forcethe bulbous portion 13 outwardly to its original diameter, in whichposition the portion 13 hugs the inside of the bottle neck with thebulbous portion 13 of the bottle fitting snugly into a concavely shapedcomplementary portion or cavity 20 of the outer rim element. The cavity20 has a configuration corresponding closely to the inner lip portion 13of the bottle to permit the bottle neck to fit sealingly within thecavity.

Extending upwardly from the cavity portion 20 of the outer rim is agenerally cylindrical surface 24 of relatively greater diameter than theinner diameter of the bottle with a part of the cavity portion 2% havinga planar horizontal surface 21 supported or resting upon the uppersurface or outer lips 26 of the bottle.

As the cap is screwed down tightly on the bottle, the surface 24- stopsthe closure from further downward movement into the bottle and thesurface 24 is then compressed between the bottle cap and the uppersurface 26 of the bottle, sealing this upper surface, and further urgingor forcing the cavity 20 and the bulbous portion 13 outwardly into closesealing proximity to the bottle neck. The horizontal surface 21 whileacting to stop the closure from being forced further than desired intothe bottle thus also acts cooperatively with the cap, to force theS-shaped outer surface 19 into sealing relationship with the S-shapedlip portion 18 of the bottle.

The outer cylindrical surface of the pouring nozzle insert is seen tohave outwardly extending protuberances 28 of which two pairs of two eachare illustrated in FIG. 4. These protuberances 28 may be of beak-likeshape and extend outwardly on either side of the spout closure in pairsof two. Applicant preferably utilizes two pairs of the protuberancesequidistantly spaced around the periphery of the spout closure althoughone pair or a plurality of equally spaced protuberances could serve thepurpose here intended, that is, of flexibly and resiliently hugging theinner sides of a bottle cap and preventing separation of the cap andclosure assembly prior to completion of the bottle capping operation.

The distance between tips of a pair of opposing protuberances is ofslightly greater distance than the inner diameter of a container capdesigned to be used in cooperation with a spout closure. As will be seenfrom FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the spout closure fits snugly within thecontainer cap with the protuberances, formed integrally with the spoutclosure, being suflficiently resilient that they are wedged downwardlywithin the cap where they firmly hold the spout closure in assembledrelationship within the container cap after placement therein eventhough subjected to much subsequent abuse in shipping, as shown in FIG.3. However, as the cap is assembled onto the bottle, the insert ispermanently transferred thereto, as shown in FIG. 5.

The container spout closure and bottle cap are formed advantageously ofmoldable resinous plastic. The cap is preferably formed of a relativelyrigid plastic, such as polystyrene, while the spout closure, requiringsealing qualities, is preferably formed of a relatively softer, moreresilient plastic such as polyethylene or the like.

The bottle as illustrated in FIG. 1 is of the threaded variety withcorresponding threads formed in the inner cylindrical surface of thebottle cap.

FIG. 2 illustrates most clearly the manner in which the spout closure isdesigned to fit within the bottle cap; and it is to be noted that thebottle cap is generally concentric with the container spout closure. Theconcentricity of the bottle cap, the spout closure and the bottle itselfis illustrated most plainly in FIG. 4.

Modified embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 6-7 and inFIGS. 8-10, wherein like numerals have been used to designate partswhich are similar to those found in the embodiment of FIGS. 15. Thesuffix letter a is employed to distinguish those elements associatedwith the embodiments of FIGS. 6-10.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottle cap, bottle and spout closure device inassembled relationship where it is seen that the bottle cap has an innercentrally positioned downwardly extending protuberance or stalactiform56 integral with the cap and designed for interfitting sealing coactionwith the central stem-like or tube-like portion 8 of the spout closure.As will be appreciated, the provision of such a stalactiform providesinitial holding means for the spout closure and also provides anadditional safeguard against spillage of liquids within the bottle whenthe bottle cap may not yet be sufiiciently tightly threaded to cause thecoacting sealing surfaces 32 and 34 of the spout closure and the flatbottom portion 36 of the cap to engage one another, as is illustrated inFIG. 6. As will be understood, however, in most instances these surfaceswill be brought into contact by closure of the cap. The spout closurewill be transferred to the bottle upon application of the cap to thebottle, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

The depending portion 56 thus functions in a similar manner to theoutwardly extending protuberances 28. The stalactiform 56 extendsthrough the stem-like portion 8 of the nozzle insert and flexibly andresiliently presses against the hollow inner surface of the upperportion 8, thus, when in assembled position in a container, urging thelower surface 19 of the outer rim element into vapor sealing contactwith the neck of a bottle 21.

The stalactiform may be considerably longer extending in a taperedmanner downwardly to a point adjacent the bottom of a container, assuggested by the dotted lines in FIG. 8, thus serving as a dabber forperfume or the like. FIGS. 810, also show a modified and preferred shapeof spout insert.

In FIGS. 8-10 the flat upper portion of the insert is joined to theouter rim element 6 at substantially a right angle; and holds the outerrim bulbous portion 13 snugly and resiliently outwardly so that it fitssealingly and grippingly against the inner lip portion 18 of a bottlewhen inserted into a bottle or other container.

This method in which the depending portion eifectively seals off thecontainer spout even though the cap is not sealed tightly isparticularly advantageous, as will be readily appreciated. It isfrequently the case that a person will hesitate to tightly screw on acontainer cap for fear of later inability to remove the cap. Thus, thedepending portion 56 permits one who may be the ultimate consumer of theliquids within the container to relatively loosely screw on the capwithout danger of the liquids spilling or the bottles overturning; andwithout evaporation. This is especially desirable as a consumerincentive where the liquid contained within the bottle are fluids suchas bleach which may cause discoloration or deterioration of the surfacesupon which spilled; or where the liquid is an expensive perfume whichtends to evaporate quickly.

In summary, applicant has provided, by his invention, a novel spoutclosure and container cap.

Recognizing the need for a simple spout closure which could be shippedpreassembled within the bottle cap, applicant has provided interfittingmeans upon the cap and spout closure to facilitate initial assembly.Thus during shipment, the spout closure is firmly held within the bottlecap ready for assembly on the bottle.

Even though subjected to much handling abuse during shipment, the bottlecaps and spout closures remain assembled thus saving the bottlerunnecessary time in trying to assemble spout closures and bottle caps.The danger of breakage of the relatively weak spout closure devicesprovided, by the strong fingers of unskilled laborers assembling theminto the caps or bottles, is thus avoided.

The bottle caps and spout closures in assembled relationship are thenready for the bottling operation. By the reason of extreme simplicity ofapplicants design, the bottler finds himself in a highly desirableposition: he is able to have his workmen manually cap the bottles; orthe bottler may follow automatic assembly line techniques. In eithercapping method the bottler is able to better utilize the preassembledunits and thus achieve the speed so desirable for economy of operation.

After the bottle is filled with the liquids, the bottle cap-spoutclosure assembly is secured to the bottle. In the case of the threadedtype bottle illustrated, this is done by simply screwing down the bottlecap. The inner neck of the bottle is provided with a bulbous portionhaving a smaller inner diameter immediately adjacent the outer surfaceof the neck than the inner diameter of the test of the neck.

The spout closure device is provided with a bulbous convex portion and acavity portion, the bulbous portion being of slightly greater outerdiameter than the inner diameter of the corresponding bulbous portion ofthe bottle neck. On applying screwing pressure on the cap, the bulbousportion of the spout closure is pressed inwardly by the bulbous portionof the bottle and on application of further pressure the convexly andconcavely shaped outer portion of the spout closure seats itself withinthe bottle, the bulbous portion of the spout closure resilientlyengaging the inner portion of the bottle neck.

The upper portions of the spout closure are generally coplanar and whenthe bottle cap is screwed down upon the bottle, the coplanar surfaces ofthe spout closure sealingly engage the planar bottom surface of thebottle cap.

The bulbous portion of the bottle is fitted snugly within a cavityprovided in the spout closure and effectively prevents any liquidswithin the bottle from seeping out around the lips of the bottle. Thecoplanar abutting relationship of the bottom surface of the cap well andthe upwardly facing surfaces of the spout closure further seals off thebottle against seepage. Thus the bottles are ready for shipment to theultimate consumer with a double safeguard against leakage or seepage ofthe fluids even though the bottle may be overturned duringtransportation.

On the consumers receipt of the capped bottle, it is ready for use bymerely unscrewing the bottle cap. The cap is found to be readilyremovable without any real obstruction by the spout protuberancesprovided for the purpose of holding the spout closure and the bottle capin assembled relationship. The spout will remain on the bottle.

Resealing of the container is found to be relatively simple.Exceptionally good sealing ability of the bottle results by reason ofthe manner in which the spout closure is fitted to the correspondingcoplanar inner bottom surface of the bottle cap.

In a modified form of applicants invention, a depending protrusion orstalactiform is provided centrally located on the bottom of the bottlecap. The stalactiform is generally cylindrical and of such length andsize to fit tightly and resiliently within the stem-like upper portionof the spout closure device thus providing a high degree of insuranceagainst leakage of the fluids within the container on overturning of thecontainer in spite of the fact that the bottle cap is not tightened; andperforming a further function of frictionally holding the bottle cap andspout closure in assembled relationship during shipment.

From the description above given and the advantages of applicants novelinvention, it is seen that applicant has accomplished the objectsheretofore set forth in an exceptionally simple manner yielding arelatively low cost bottle spout closure device which may be shipped tothe bottler in preassembled relationship to the bottle cap. This resultsin savings in materials handling costs for the bottler.

Applicant has, also provided a novel device which is seen to provide anexceptional degree of sealing ability of his spout closure and bottlecap against leakage of the contents of the bottle around the sides ofthe spout closure or around the inner portions of the bottle cap.

Since many modifications of the invention described above andillustrated in the various figures may obviously be made, I do not wishto be limited thereto and it is thus contemplated by the appended claimsto cover any modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope ofthis invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A cap device comprising: a spout closure of comparatively resilientmaterial, including a tubular skirt and a generally annular member, saidskirt having an outer surface sized to sealingly and affixably engage acontainer neck and said annular member spanning said skirt and having acentral throat defining a dispenser orifice; and a cap element ofcomparatively rigid material, including a cup-shaped body and a centralstem portion extending from the floor of said body coaxial with thewalls thereof; said stem portion slidably stretchably entering saidthroat whereby to permit pre-assembling said spout closure and said capelement before affixing same to a container, said stem portion having agreater axial extent than said throat whereby said stem portion acts toclean residual dispensed material from the walls of said throat eachtime said cap element is replaced on a container neck in which saidclosure has been mounted.

2. A cap device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said stem portion has aclosed extremity whereby the walls of said stretchably engaged throatact to wipe said stern portion substantially clean each time said capelement is removed from a container to which said cap element and saidclosure have been assembled.

3. A cap device according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of said outersurface is a multiple of the diameter of 7 8 said dispenser orifice soas to arrange said orifice for 3,064,844 11/ 1962 Hoffmann 21578 Xdropwise dispensing action. 3,088,616 5/1963 Freda 21543 ReferencesCited JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATE PATENTS 5 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner.

2,917,198 12/1959 Bean 21573 R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner. 3,042,2427/1962 Abt 215-41

1. A CAP DEVICE COMPRISING: A SPOUT CLOSURE OF COMPARATIVELY RESILIENTMATERIAL, INCLUDING A TUBULAR SKIRT AND A GENERALLY ANNULAR MEMBER, SAIDSKIRT HAVING AN OUTER SURFACE SIZED TO SEALINGLY AND AFFIXABLY ENGAGE ACONTAINER NECK AND SAID ANNULAR MEMBER SPANNING SAID SKIRT AND HAVING ACENTRAL THROAT DEFINING A DISPENSER ORIFICE; AND A CAP ELEMENT OFCOMPARATIVELY RIGID MATERIAL, INCLUDING A CUP-SHAPED BODY AND A CENTRALSTEM PORTION EXTENDING FROM THE FLOOR OF SAID BODY COAXIAL WITH THEWALLS THEREOF; SAID STEM PORTION SLIDABLY STRETCHABLY ENTERING SAIDTHROAT WHEREBY TO PERMIT PRE-ASSEMBLING SAID SPOUT CLOSURE AND SAID CAPELEMENT BEFORE AFFIXING SAME TO A CONTAINER, SAID STEM PORTION HAVING AGREATER AXIAL EXTENT THAN SAID THROAT WHEREBY SAID STEM PORTION ACTS TOCLEAN RESIDUAL DISPENSED MATERIAL FROM THE WALLS OF SAID THROAT EACHTIME SAID CAP ELEMENT IS REPLACED ON A CONTAINER NECK IN WHICH SAIDCLOSURE HAS BEEN MOUNTED.